Connie and Carla [PG]

When cheesy musical performers, Connie and Carla, witness a murder, it’s imperative that they get out of town. Fleeing to LA, the girls discover the perfect disguises: drag queens. Getting a performing job in a drab little drag club, the two keep under the radar. That is until they decide to turn the club into a dinner theatre and they begin acquiring some fame. With a murderous drug dealer hot on their trail, can the girls keep up the charade? 

This movie definitely makes it into my list of all-time favourite films. It’s basically Some Like It Hot, but in reverse and it’s jam-packed with comedy, glamour, singing, dancing, romance, action, and drama. I love love love love love love love this film! 

Connie and Carla are two cheesy musical performers from Chicago whose humdrum, safe lives spiral out of control when they witness a murder. Knowing that this murderous drug dealer is after them, the girls flee Chicago and move to LA to hide. Being musical performers, the poor girls struggle to blend in with the cultureless town, but their luck changes when they discover a drab little club that’s screaming for a theatrical makeover. Disguising themselves as drag queens, the girls get a job performing at the club and slowly transform the drab little pub into a legit dinner theatre. Making some fabulous new friends, but not forgetting that the murderous drug dealer is after their blood, can the girls keep up the charade? 

I think the best way to describe this movie is Thelma and Louise meets Priscilla Queen of the Desert. It’s female companionship at its very best and really is a visual interpretation of Guy Pearce’s statement “all dolled up and nowhere to go.” 

Let’s first talk about the glorious and glamorous costumes and makeup. Some girls would take offence that these gorgeous boys wear makeup and look prettier than they do, but I love seeing drag. It’s an art form all in itself and is a brilliant way of conveying inner feelings. It’s recognised and known, but it’s not something that you see every day and that’s another reason why I love this film. 

As a lover of musicals, this movie is genius. Practically every major musical is sampled here; Jesus Christ Superstar, Cats, Oklahoma, Yentl, Cabaret, South Pacific, Funny Girl, Grease, Hair, I mean the list goes on and on. There is nothing I love more than to sing along with musicals and the amount of musical cues in this film just made it the most perfect fun night in. 

Nia Vardalos stars as Connie, the girl with the plans. She’s absolutely gorgeous. Being the writer of the film as well as the star, Nia was cheesy, sincere, glamorous and just downright, a gem. She lights up the screen from the very beginning. Love her. 

Toni Collette stars as Carla and she was absolutely adorable. Playing a free-spirited ditz has to be the most fun in the world, judging from Toni’s performance. She just looked like she was having the time of her life, and I particularly love her little breakdown halfway through the film. She is a real shining star.
Starring Stephen Spinella, Christopher Logan, Ian Gomez, Dash Mihok, David Duchovny, and featuring a surprise cameo from Debbie Reynolds, Connie and Carla is classic girls’ comedy that’s packed to bursting with show tunes, dancing, sparkling frocks, glamorous wigs, outrageous makeup, drama, romance, and plenty of comedy. It’s wonderfully off-centre and is just a whole heap of fun, Love it!!!